ACTIVE USE OF ONLINE COMMUNITY REDUCES LONELINESS AMONG OLDER ADULTS THROUGH WEAK TIES FORMATION

Abstract Online communities could aid older adults in expanding their social connections and developing weak ties, which may help alleviate their loneliness. However, research investigating the impact of online community participation on the formation of weak ties among older adults remains lacking. This study aimed to investigate 1) the relationship between active use of an online community designed for older adults and the formation of weak ties within the platform, and 2) the potential for these weak ties to alleviate loneliness among members. The online community platform for older adults allowed users to post diary entries and photos, join interest-based communities, and organize virtual and in-person events. An online survey was conducted among members aged 60 to 79 years (N=862). The survey measured active use, weak ties (measured by the number of mutual followers), and loneliness. Path analysis showed that active engagement in the online community was positively associated with the formation of weak ties, which, in turn, were negatively associated with loneliness. Thus, older adults who frequently posted own content and participated in community activities were more likely to form many weak ties in the platform, and these weak ties may help reduce their loneliness. However, this study only examined online community use, meaning that further research is needed to explore the relationship between general social networking services use and weak ties, as well as examine the context of the passive use of these services.


THE JOINT EFFECTS OF PAIN AND ELEVATED DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG MEXICAN AMERICANS AGED 80 AND OLDER
Claudia Sanchez 1 , Phillip Cantu 2 , Kyriakos Markides 1 , and Sadaf Milani 1 , 1. University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States, 2. UTMB, Galveston, Texas, United States Pain and depression are common among older Hispanic adults and their combined effects may increase mortality.We examined the joint effects of pain and depressive symptoms on mortality.We used data from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (2010-2016), which included Mexican Americans aged 80 and older in the Southwestern US.Participants were categorized into four groups based on self-reported pain on weight-bearing and depressive symptoms: no pain or elevated depressive symptoms, pain only, elevated depressive symptoms only, or both pain and elevated depressive symptoms.Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale.A score of 16 or more was considered elevated depressive symptoms.Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the joint relationship of pain and depressive symptoms with mortality.We examined social support as a potential effect modifier.At baseline, 35.9% reported pain only, 8.6% of participants reported elevated depressive symptoms only, and 16.9% reported pain and elevated depressive symptoms (n=836).Over 6 years of follow-up, 46.2% of the sample died.Those with pain and elevated depressive symptoms had 1.41 times the risk of mortality compared to those without pain or elevated depressive symptoms (95% confidence interval: 1.05, 1.09).
Having pain or elevated depressive symptoms only was not significantly associated with mortality.Social support was not a significant effect modifier.Our findings highlight the importance of screening for pain and elevated depressive symptoms among older Mexican Americans.

SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS AND ISOLATION
Abstract citation ID: igad104.2719

ACTIVE USE OF ONLINE COMMUNITY REDUCES LONELINESS AMONG OLDER ADULTS THROUGH WEAK TIES FORMATION
Nahyun Kim, and Keiko Katagiri, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan Online communities could aid older adults in expanding their social connections and developing weak ties, which may help alleviate their loneliness.However, research investigating the impact of online community participation on the formation of weak ties among older adults remains lacking.This study aimed to investigate 1) the relationship between active use of an online community designed for older adults and the formation of weak ties within the platform, and 2) the potential for these weak ties to alleviate loneliness among members.The online community platform for older adults allowed users to post diary entries and photos, join interest-based communities, and organize virtual and in-person events.An online survey was conducted among members aged 60 to 79 years (N=862).The survey measured active use, weak ties (measured by the number of mutual followers), and loneliness.Path analysis showed that active engagement in the online community was positively associated with the formation of weak ties, which, in turn, were negatively associated with loneliness.Thus, older adults who frequently posted own content and participated in community activities were more likely to form many weak ties in the platform, and these weak ties may help reduce their loneliness.However, this study only examined online community use, meaning that further research is needed to explore the relationship between general social networking services use and weak ties, as well as examine the context of the passive use of these services.

ASSOCIATION OF EVERYDAY LIFE INFORMATION ACQUISITION METHODS AND DEPRESSION AMONG US OLDER ADULTS
Wuyi Dong, Yan-Jhu Su, and Andrew Alberth, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Everyday life information acquisition refers to the incidental ways people obtain information through daily activities such as reading, watching television, or communicating with friends rather than through intentional or purposive information seeking behaviors.It has been identified as a fundamental way to obtain informational resources and is a potential means to promote social connections and engagement among older adults.Research has shown that social engagement and connections are protective factors